The GeekKlok: A designer clock for Geeks and gadget addicts.
READ: NEWS FLASH --- All orders received after 16 July 2006 will be shipped with a totally NEW printed circuit board that provides many more options for building a case for this kit. Click here to see the explanation and photos for more info. New purchase options listed.
On This Page:
Order one — from our Order Page.
List of parts not supplied in kit and where to get the tubes.
Download Full Documentation
Link to Gallery Page
Customer's comments
Beginner Kit-Builder Step-wise Easy (SWEZ) Assembly ManualThe GeekKlok is a truly amazing designer clock, created by AWARD-WINNING DESIGNER Raymond Weisling.
This clock is for geeks and nerds and gadget lovers, so it has many features not found in the typical Nixie clock, and in fact not found in most clocks of any kind, such as:
- NEW SPLIT PCB allows building narrow, low-profile cases.
- Blanking mode control register, includes totally blanked display and a nice dimmed mode.
- Added circuitry to guarantee no hang-ups if the power line glitches and fidgets and quits.
- Option button aids in setting time, but also allows direct browsing of fonts or animation sequences.
- Automatic daylight savings time adjustments (based on user entered rules, e.g., last Sunday in October at 02:00)
- Battery back-up of time and date, survives and resets itself after power blackouts.
- Time based on local power line frequency (50/60 Hz), which is very accurate over long periods of time.
- Optional use of crystal timebase (e.g., where mains frequency is unreliable) or a GPS pulse.
- All user preferences and registers stored in non-volatile memory---survives power blackouts.
- 50 different number fonts (character sets) to choose from. See samples, photos and movie clips below.
- Fonts include number variations, distorted numbers, contorted numbers, fanciful numbers, etc.
- Time can display using animated characters. Links to sample QuickTime movies below.
- Clock optionally shows seconds on underline segments, simulating a left-to-right progress bar (2 variations)
- Special fonts for Roman (digit by digit) , true Arabic, Chinese/Japanese, and Klingon numerals.
- Other "secret" fonts available for "private" reading capability --- Baffle your friends.
- 12- or 24-hour clock modes available. In 12-hour mode leading zero can be blanked or allowed to show.
- Alternate time zone display can alternate with main display at different rates, and can use any alternate font.
- Date can use any alternate font to help differentiate it, and can be displayed at different rates or turned off.
- Date displayable in DD-MM or MM-DD (numeric) format.
- Time Setting and User Preference register editing can be locked out by DIP switch setting.
- 35 User Preference Registers control options and settings, use mnemonic names for editing.
- User Preference Registers and Font Use Settings can easily be edited.
- Date or alternate time zone display can also use one of several display variations (wink, spasm, etc.)
- Serial (RS232) input to set time, or control blanking and font selection.
- Serial (RS232 or direct) output can be used to make chime tone modules or alarm modules.
- Accessory jack for seconds display module (intended for smaller numerical nixies, no font changes available).
- Add a GeekKlok Accessory Module Kit, for seconds, chime tone, alarm and PIR sensor to blank display.
- With serial ports, many simple add-on projects are possible. The GeekKlok becomes the foundation for these.
- Switchmode power supply for nixie's high voltage---clock is powered from 12 VAC 350 mA wallwart.
- Use of vintage B-7971 nixie sockets or individual socket pins from AMP/Tyco or MILL-MAX.
- Nixie Tubes can be mounted on the component side so the PCB can be placed low in a case...
- Or Nixie Tubes can be mounted on the solder side, with components facing down, optimum for other case designs.
- High-quality, professional, double-sided printed circuit board with plated-through holes, on FR-4 glass epoxy laminate. Some people call the board "a piece of art."
- Display can be set to save power and tubes by "wink-blanking" during certain hours (or under serial control).
- Uses Burroughs B-7971 Nixie Tubes --- thousands are still available and easily obtained in USA and Europe.
- Can also use Telefunken ZM1350 Varisymbol planar tube (but requires hand wiring, PCB only handles B-7971).
Many of the features are not found in any other Nixie Clock---some not even on any clock of any kind, anywhere.
TIME SHOWN: 04:12
FONT: Deco
The GeekKlok in operation, with a stylized or distorted font selected for the time, sown in 24-hour format.
Here are a few of the 50 fonts available in GeekKlok:
The fonts above, abbreviated to NOR, SEV, MIA and SKE are distortions of regular numerals, including rotation. HIG
further plays with this distortion but restricts the segments to the upper half of the tube. NER is one of two Roman
numeral character sets---this one lying down pm hisd side, fiddling. SUG suggests the numbers through the English words
for numbers. PYT is a fanciful distortion and FIN uses a metaphor of counting on your fingers. PIE doesn't try to
imitate number shapes---it uses wedges cut from the whole in the different quadrants to represent numbers.
Download the User Manual to see all 50 fonts described.
TIME SHOWN: 03:58
FONT: Hints
This font suggests the English word for each digit, or a stylized form of the numeral itself:
Zero
3
fiVe
eigHtA font can be selected to be the primary or secondary display font. Only one font can be a primary or
secondary font. Display duration of primary and secondary character sets can be set by means of
User Preference Registers. A DIP switch can override the primary font and use the secondary font. The date and
an optional secondary time zone can also have it own unique font to help identify it.View QuickTime movies of animated fonts:
WINDBLOWN & SEGMENT ADD-SUBTRACT --- 4.6 MB
DANCER & ROTATING WINDBLOWN --- 4.6 MB
The four "Windblown" fonts were designed by Peter Csaszar. All other fonts by Raymond Weisling.
(Note: Dancer was removed from the animations in V1-6 to make room for dimming and other new features.)
TIME SHOWN: 23:45
FONT: Tokyo
Besides "normal" numerals, a few alternate script systems were attempted, such as this Japanese approximation. Only one out of about eight, taken from from StarTrek, was possible (Klingon).
Click here to see more details of the split PCB options available
We just don't toss parts in a box. They are carefully sorted and bagged to
coincide with each step in our Step-Wise Easy (SWEZ) assembly manual.
This makes assembly easy for both beginners and experienced professionals.NEXT PHOTOS: Two different mounting options are available. Your case design
can dictate which one is best to show off these vintage tubes. Do you want the
components --- some are a bit tall --- to stand up or hang underneath? You decide.The photos show the old PCB (now replaced with the split PCB), but if not split into
two parts it will produce finished clocks like these photos show.
More Photos are in the Gallery
See our Documentation Download Page
The Step-Wise Easy Assembly Manual (SWEZ) is perfect for the beginner kit builder. Used even by the pro. Our step-by-step manual shows progressive images of the board being assembled, with detailed explanations for each step. Resistors are shown in full colour (with the colours named in the text, too).
Parts placed in earlier steps are shown in gray. The steps (sequences) match the parts sorted into plastic bags in the kit.Greatly speeds assembly and removes the hassles of part identification and sorting.Our USER MANUAL includes user preference settings, font catalog, theory of operation, parts list, colour assembly drawings, notes on socket options, power supply connections, transformer type and catalog order numbers, schematic wiring diagrams, PCB mounting hole dimensions, and a MENU STATE MACHINE REFERENCE GUIDE. We strive to give you as much information as possible. Clarity is our utmost goal in making the kit easy to complete. The documentation is updated as required based on suggestions from customers.
We don't ship the documentation. Save a tree: print only what you need to put on paper, from the latest revision.
NOTE: The following parts are not supplied in the GeekKlok kit:
Item Suggested Source B-7971 Nixie Tubes As of early 2006, over 1200 tubes remain available. Buyers of the GeekKlok will be sent the name of this source in the UK. The source is guaranteed. If you can't get the tubes, we'll refund your purchase price. The supplies are limited and going down. These tubes were made in the 1960s and up to about 1971. Sockets are extremely limited, but we provide data on excellent substitutes.
4
68Nixie tube sockets
OR
socket pinsSockets are getting rare as of early 2006 (many remaining ones have minor damage). We provide info on excellent alternative socket pins in the User Manual. The PCB will accept both types. Sockets may cost $6 each, the pinsare easier to work with and only cost about $3/tube. Serial interface parts MAX232 chip, four capacitors and connector. Case and mounting hardware Do it yourself. BE INVENTIVE!!
In USA/Canada check out this sitePower Supply 12 VAC 350 ma(minimum) Wallwart. Our User Manual gives order numbers from Mouser and Digi-Key.
Visit our Gallery Photos of the Four Letter Word show mounting variations,
close-ups of the board and how others have designed cases for their kits. Most
photos are directly applicable to the GeekKlok, since they are very similar.
THE PRICE IS NOW US$127 (for one), less in Twin Packs.
The GeekKlok (GKK) is available in these forms:
Order Code & Item Description GKK1K GeekKlok single kit GKK2K GeekKlok twin-pack kit PCBAM ZM1350 Varisymbol bare PCB substitute for B-7971 GKKUN GKK assembled & tested, split PCB, folded UNDER GKKBK GKK assembled & tested, split PCB, folded BACK GKKCL GKK assembled & tested, unsplit PCB, CUTU* GKKZM GKK assembled with ZM1350 tubes supplied GKKZCS GKK assembled with ZM1350 tubes & case BURTKD knock-down case for B-7971 tubes FG2K FLW and GKK in twin-pack kit GAMOK GeekKlok Accessory Module GKUP GeekKlok Firmware Upgrade (update to V1-6) * CDTU available as special order with GKKCL, please request CDTU when ordering
(note: GKKCL supplied on new PCB whose front to back dimension is slightly greater than the old PCB)
We use SWREG for secure-server online payments. Legally they are our reseller, but items are shipped directly from our location.
You may pay with any of several credit cards, including Verified by Visa and MasterCard Secure, as well as PayPal.Products are shipped from Indonesia by FedEx. Shipping charges are US$21.00 for North America, $24.00 for W. Europe and $16.00 for Australia and New Zealand. For other country rates, contact us. Shipping prices have not increased in over three years despite new rates and fuel surcharges.
Buy the GeekKlok Kit (GKK) from our reseller, SWREG. They use secure servers to process your order. We never see or record your credit card number or other personal information. SWREG meets the highest standards for online e-business transactions. It has been doing online order processing for more than 12 years.
Order NOW from our Shopping Cart
EU Customers Note: SWREG collects VAT for electronically distributed products, but not for physical goods. You will not be charged EU VAT for your purchase. If you are charged VAT it will be refunded. You will have to pay VAT later when the item passes through customs. This avoids paying VAT two times.
"It is fantastic, you did a really nice job. One of the most entertaining 'toys' I've seen in years." -- G.K., Houston, TX
"I just can't keep my eyes off of it." -- J.M., Columbia, SC
" I completed my FLW last night....Works great!!! Pat yourself on the back from me....you did a great job on this design. " -- M.W., Washington, MO
"It's a fun little device !" -- T. McN., Northfield, NJ
"I got my new toy today, and it is AWESOME. VERY VERY nice." -- A.M., New York, NY
"I must let you know I am very impressed with your efforts on this kit!" -- J. M., Columbia, SC
"Everyone's really excited about it! It is really fantastic!" -- A.E. , Los Angeles, CA
This page updated 20 June 2006.
(c) Copyright 2003 PT. Zetalink Technology Indonesia
